Brief
Interior designers show how to bring The Traitors’ Ardross Castle look home on a budget
Milena Vallier of My Bespoke Room offers seven budget‑friendly tips to capture the show’s bold colour, pattern and lighting style.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Interior designers are advising UK homeowners on how to emulate the gothic‑maximalist interiors of Ardross Castle – the filming location for BBC’s reality series The Traitors – without spending a fortune, according to Daily Mail.
What happened
Ardross Castle, a 19th‑century estate in the Scottish Highlands, has been the backdrop for every episode of The Traitors since the show launched in 2022. The Daily Mail reports that Milena Vallier, head of design at the online service My Bespoke Room, has compiled seven practical ways for viewers to bring the castle’s bold aesthetic into their own homes. The tips range from using dark, saturated paint colours to starting with small rooms and sourcing second‑hand statement pieces.
What the reports add
While the Daily Mail focuses on Vallier’s seven‑point guide, the Felo News background article "Ardross Castle filming location" (published 29 September 2026) notes that the castle can be hired for weddings from £45,000, underscoring its high‑end reputation. The Daily Mail adds that dark hues such as forest green, navy and burgundy can be used as an “anchor” colour, and that pairing them with the right lighting creates a cosy, chic atmosphere. It also advises testing bold looks in less‑used spaces like cloakrooms or spare bedrooms before committing to larger areas.
What was said
Vallier told the Daily Mail, "Dark colours can be a real game changer because they can instantly make a room feel more luxurious, but only when used correctly." She further explained, "People often shy away from dark shades, particularly in smaller spaces, because they fear they'll make a room feel even smaller. But, paired with the right lighting and accents, dark themes can be so cosy and chic."
How it came about
The popularity of The Traitors has turned Ardross Castle’s interiors into a design reference point. Felo’s earlier coverage of the castle’s use as a filming location highlighted its striking gothic décor, which has now inspired a wave of interior‑design content. Vallier’s advice builds on the broader trend of affordable home‑makeover ideas featured in Felo’s "60 Home Glow‑Up Hacks" guide (19 September 2026), which also encourages the use of bold colours and smart lighting without major expense.
Key facts
- Milena Vallier of My Bespoke Room provided seven budget‑friendly tips to recreate Ardross Castle’s interior style. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Ardross Castle has hosted every episode of The Traitors since the series began in 2022. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Vallier recommends using dark anchor colours such as forest green, navy blue or burgundy, paired with appropriate lighting. (dailymail.co.uk)
- She suggests starting with smaller or less‑used rooms to test bold colour schemes. (dailymail.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2022-01-01 — The Traitors series debuts, using Ardross Castle as the primary interior set.
- 2026-09-29 — Felo News reports Ardross Castle as the filming location for Celebrity Traitors.
- 2026-10-10 — Daily Mail publishes interior‑design guide to emulate The Traitors’ castle look.
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Get The Traitors look at home - and stay Faithful to your bank balance”
